Africa Environment Outlook (AEO)

Excepts From the Synthesis

The Africa Environment Outlook (AEO) report provides a comprehensive and integrated analysis of Africa’s environment. AEO contains a detailed assessment of the current state of the environment in the region, indicates discernible environmental trends and examines the complex interplay between natural events and the impacts of human actions on the environment. Against this background, the report analyses the effects of environmental change in terms of human vulnerability and security, presents a set of scenarios for Africa’s future and gives recommendations for concrete policy actions to steer the region, ultimately, towards the most favourable of those scenarios.

The document is divided into the following chapters:

ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT: 1972–2002

The historical focus of AEO is the 30-year period since the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1972. However, much of the degradation of Africa’s environment today is part of a legacy from less favourable times, including the periods of the slave trade and colonialism. The historical scope of AEO therefore widens to discuss that legacy, and to show how the march of history has often overshadowed traditional African ways of life and knowledge that were inherently more respectful of the environment than some modern forms of development

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND POLICY ANALYSIS

The causes of environmental change up to 2002 are examined, including those relating to policy and governance. The impacts of environmental change on the functioning of ecosystems and on social and economic development are also considered, in seven major areas.

1. Atmosphere: Africa is extremely vulnerable to climate variability and climate change. Variations in rainfall patterns have led to incidences of drought and flooding, often with disastrous consequences for populations and for the environment. The predicted consequences of global climate change—worsening impacts of drought, desertification, flooding, and sea level rise—may well worsen the situation of Africa's people, even though the region's greenhouse gas emissions are, on the whole, negligible. Analysis of the consequences of activities such as deforestation, inappropriate coastal development, and poor land management shows that these can exacerbate the effects of climate variability and climate change. Air quality is an emerging issue of concern in many parts of Africa, especially in expanding urban areas where concentrations of population, industry and vehicles are increasing air pollution.
2. Biodiversity: Africa's biological resources are declining rapidly as a result of habitat loss, overharvesting of selected resources, and illegal activities. Formal protection has been strengthened at the national and international level over the past 30 years. However, additional measures are required including additional research and documentation, particularly of indigenous knowledge, implementation of strategies for sustainable harvesting and trade, wider involvement of stakeholders, and more equitable sharing of benefits.
3. Coastal and marine habitats: Coastal and marine habitats and resources in Africa are under threat from pollution, overharvesting of resources, inappropriate development in the coastal zone, and poor inland landmanagement. Oil pollution is a major threat to resources, habitats, and economies along the African coastline. Policies and regulations for sustainable coastal development and use of marine resources are in place but require sustained resources such as trained personnel, equipment, financial resources, and more effective policing, monitoring, administration and enforcement.
4. Forests: Africa has the fastest rate of deforestation anywhere in the world. In addition to its ecological impacts, deforestation also means definitive loss of vital resources causing communities to lose their livelihoods and vital energy sources. Political commitment to protection of indigenous forests, sustainable harvesting practices, and community ownership require strengthening. Development of alternative energy sources is also a priority.
5. Freshwater: Lack of availability and low quality of freshwater are the two most limiting factors for development in Africa, constraining food production and industrial activities, and contributing significantly to the burden of disease.
6. Land: Degradation of soil and of vegetation resources is largely a result of increasing population pressures, inequitable land access and tenure policies, poor land management, and widespread poverty. The results are declining agricultural yields, affecting economies and food security; desertification of arid areas, raising competition for remaining resources; and increased potential for conflict. Land tenure reform, international cooperation, and integration of land resource management with development goals are required.
7. Urbanization: Although most Africans currently live in rural areas, the region's rates of urbanization are among the highest in the world. Poor economic growth and low investment in infrastructure have left provision of housing and basic services in urban areas lagging far behind rates of inward migration, resulting in a proliferation of informal settlements in urban Africa.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AND HUMAN VULNERABILITY

The poverty of most Africans, and their consequent direct dependence on natural resources for their livelihoods, increases their vulnerability to environmental change. Over the past 30 years, poverty has continued to worsen in Africa and the region’s environment has continued to deteriorate, making Africans even more vulnerable to environmental change.


OUTLOOK: 2002–2032

Focusing on the next three decades, AEO considers a number of policy options that are likely to have the most significant impact on environment and socioeconomic development. Four scenarios are presented, based on different environmental and social situations that are likely to result from alternative policy interventions. These scenarios are not predictions of the future, but aim to illustrate the range of possible outcomes based upon four policy choices and their interface with environment and developmental conditions, driving forces, and management interventions. The identified driving forces most likely to shape the future are: demographics, economics (including poverty), social, culture, environment, technology and governance.


CALL TO ACTION

Most African countries face many challenges, such as the need to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of their people and to improve the state of the environment. These need to be addressed from a policy perspective in order for the region to move closer to sustainable development.


A key aim of AEO is to recommend ‘achievable action items’ to AMCEN, as Africa’s environmental body, and to other relevant policy officials. Urgent actions are required to reverse the current trend in environmental degradation in Africa. The key issues for action are poverty reduction and reversal of the direct causes of environmental degradation, by addressing environment and development together. There are also a number of cross-cutting issues that affect Africa’s quest for sustainable development.


Specific actions are summarized below in the following categories:


Eradicating poverty

Poverty is a complex issue requiring a multi-dimensional approach and there is no uniform solution to its eradication. In Africa, poverty is considered to be both an agent and a consequence of environmental degradation. Because poverty reduction is pivotal to sustainable development, African countries are called upon to direct attention and resources to poverty challenges in the region through:

• endorsement and promotion of principles of sustainable development;
• acceleration of industrial development;
• securing food-self sufficiency and food security; and
• reversing the health crisis, including overcoming the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Halting and reversing environmental degradation

The problems of socio-economic development in Africa are inextricably linked to people, resources and the environment. Environmental conservation thus relates directly to the structure and functioning of the economy given that the majority of African people derive their livelihood directly from natural resources. The region is, however, losing its resources at relatively rapid rates, thereby leaving millions of people vulnerable to adverse environmental change. Future strategies and actions aimed at halting and reversing environmental degradation must include and prioritize:

• halting and reversing desertification and land degradation;
• conservation and management of biodiversity and forest resources, including wetland and crossborder ecosystems;
• climate change mitigation and improvement of air quality;
• improvement of access to and quality of freshwater resources;
• conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems and resources; and
• promotion of environmentally-sound management of toxic wastes.

Promoting action on cross-cutting issues

A number of cross-cutting issues require urgent attention in Africa in order to halt and reverse environmental degradation and reduce vulnerability. These are wide-ranging and must include such important areas as:

• mobilization of domestic and international financial resources for sustainable development;
• promoting trade;
• promoting peace building, good governance and human rights;
• enhancement of scientific and technological base;
• accelerating regional cooperation and integration;
• promoting the role of civil society; and
• promoting the development of human resources.